Obituary

George Edward Kuzmiak, 71, Johnstown, passed away on February 22, 2026. Born August 4, 1954, to George and Dorothy “Dot” Pearl (Gustkey) Kuzmiak. Preceded in death by mother, Dorothy Kuzmiak; aunts, Mary (Wuckovich) Martha (Kmetz), Irene “Kay” (Sayko), Marge (Fausey), Julia “Jay” (Matolak), Maggie (Blaschak), Lillian “Mick” Gustkey, and Betty “Bett” (Berkich); and uncles, Steve Kuzmiak, William, Julius “Dutch”, and Charles “Chuck” Gustkey. Survived by father, George Kuzmiak; brothers, John Kuzmiak and wife, Renee (Leonard), and Paul Kuzmiak; niece and nephew, Eric Kuzmiak and wife, Susan (Aurandt), Maria (Kuzmiak) Nealen, and husband, Zach Nealen; great nieces and nephews, Gianna, Mason, Liam, and Grace; and numerous cousins and extended family. George was a 1972 graduate of Conemaugh Valley High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Towson University, Maryland. He worked 30 plus years as an auditor and auditor supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. George was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church where he was on numerous committees and councils. He also volunteered frequently at the church. George was an avid sports fan and music lover, especially the oldies. The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, and Windber Hospice for their outstanding care. Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00am at Hindman Funeral Homes, 1521 Frankstown Road. A funeral liturgy will be held later that day at 12:00, noon at Zion Lutheran Church. George will be laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s honor to Zion Lutheran Church, 613 Locust Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com.

A Note From The Family:

Steadfast. Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. I can’t think of a better word to describe the man that George was. Whether you knew George as a friend, a co-worker, a boss, or as family, you could undoubtedly attest to his steadfastness.

He was a man of great conviction; he was dutifully firm in his career, he was passionate about sports, music, investments, food, and cars. He was resolute in his faith. He possessed a breadth of wisdom, which he would tell you wasn’t his own, but was gifted to him from above. He lived a life of great humility, with a spirit of servanthood and abundant generosity. He was a student of the Scriptures, he adored the Word of God and treated it as the sole authoritative foundation upon which he built every aspect of his life. As a lamp to his path, God’s Word guided his relationships, his speech, his worldview, and his beliefs.

We had many lengthy discussions about the Biblical book of Job, and it’s only now that I understand why George identified so personally with the book’s namesake character. As a man of great suffering, George admittedly was not without moments of doubt and fear. He wrestled with serious health problems and anxiety throughout his life, often crying out to God in his anguish. But, like Job, he never abandoned communication. While his friends said things about God, assuming characteristics of His nature based on their own presuppositions, Job spoke to God, maintaining a living and activeHe rerelationship with his Creator. He battled internally with his affliction and often voiced his displeasure. He questioned, he demanded answers, and for a long time, he didn’t receive any.

After 41 chapters, God appeared to Job in a storm, and Job finally fell on his face before the majesty of the Lord. He fully surrendered, acknowledging that he had “uttered what I did not understand” (Job 42:3). While George never made our discussions of Scripture about himself, it’s not hard to infer that he underwent a similar submission. He remained steadfast through his own trials, he fully submitted to God’s purpose for his life, realizing that He was still on the throne (one of his favorite sayings) and that His will would ultimately come to pass.

He revered the names of God, even in what would be the last few weeks of his life, he recited God’s covenant names from the banner on his bedroom door, which can be found throughout the pages of the Old Testament.

The Bible says of Abraham that “no unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God” and continues on to define faith as being “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21). George’s faith was evident by its fruits. He was loving, kind, compassionate, joyful, gentle, patient, trustworthy and faithful in everything that he did. The most enduring memory I will cherish of George, beyond dribbling basketballs between our legs, or watching Pete Maravich highlight reels, or discussing the health benefits of certain fruits and vegetables, was the way in which he helped me understand the Biblical gospel of salvation by grace, through faith in Christ. George had the assurance available to everyone who trusts in Christ alone for salvation, as John said in 1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

One of the last things that George said to me was that he was ready to take his last breath on Earth, and his first breath in heaven. He knew where he was going, and he knew how he was getting there. He understood God’s grace, that there was nothing anyof us could ever do, no action nor good deed we could perform, to earn our way to heaven. He knew he was getting there based solely on the merit of Christ. He was fully convinced that the God who promised to save him by believing in His Son, could and would do just that. I can still hear him reciting the words of Romans 4:5 from his King James Bible… “to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

George helped me understand that salvation is the free gift of God, you can’t achieve it like a championship, you can’t work for it like a promotion at work, you can’t earn it by doing more good things than bad in your life. Jesus said “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:44). The words of our Lord have not changed because He has not changed. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Steadfast, resolute, and unwavering.

I take great comfort, as should all of you, knowing that George entered into the presence of the Lord and is experiencing the abundant peace and joy of heaven, where he will praise the Name that he took such great care to revere here on Earth. Well done, good and faithful servant, rest in peace, Uncle George.